Lauren Weber

Whether you’re an e-reader, audiobook listener, or a physical book-only reader you are still participating in a hobby with great health benefits. Reading may not be everyone’s favorite pastime but there are numerous benefits to remember.

What Are Some of The Benefits?

According to Angela Buttimer MS, NCC, RYT, LPC, a facilitator at Thomas F. Chapman Family Cancer Wellness at Piedmont, the first is stress reduction. Researchers at the University of Sussex conducted a study that discovered that participants who read for six minutes, had their heart rate slowed down and the muscle tension reduced. With finals coming up this could be a good time to pick up a good book and escape reality for a bit.

Reading from a physical book can also help induce sleep according to Buttimer. Blue light from our phones and computers can affect our sleep quality, so reading physical books can be a good way to relax at the end of the day. In addition, Studies have shown that reading regularly can help reduce the chances of cognitive decline such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but what exactly should you be reading? Buttimer recommends reading what you like, but also reading outside of your comfort zone. However, she does recommend you don’t read anything with stressful content as it can affect your mental state.

If you want to give reading a chance but are not sure where to start or are worried about how time-consuming reading can be, there’s nothing wrong with giving audiobooks a try or looking into books with a short page length. With summer around the corner, this could be a good time to pick up a new pastime and a new healthy habit.